Winning Combination: Wood Staircases, White Walls

Often, when we think of decorating staircases, we think of gallery walls or unique wallpaper. But as these spaces show, sometimes all you need is a gallon of white paint.

White draws attention to stylish, sculptural staircases, but it also modernizes timeworn ones. If your staircase is a bit dark and cramped, white can open up the space considerably. While this trick also works with carpet, it seems especially well-suited to wood staircases, drawing out varnish colors, wood patterns and other pretty details.

White walls show off a gorgeous, minimalist staircase from Light Locations.